Empathy

I've been wrestling with a lack of empathy lately. I'm not exactly sure why that is or whether my lack of empathy is really just a symptom of my inner bitch.

By way of example, I read, see the news and hear stories of the mortgage "crisis" and I am unfazed. My typical reaction is that "those balloon loans were generally not predatory. They say in big bold letters how much you owe and when. If you could not afford the home you purchased, then that is your fault and I should not have to bail you out of your mess."

Now, this is not to say that some fly by night loans were not predatory, for those people - I do have sympathy and hope the long-arm of the law compensates those people - but not at my expense - because to take my money to fix that "crisis" would punish me and not the wrongdoer. The majority of loans, however, were made by well-known mortgage lenders and banks and were neither bait and switch loans or undisclosed loans. Borrowers wanted another point or two less in interest and didn't think through the reality of a variable or balloon loan.

So, I see the mortgage "crisis" as yet another issue for people to absolve themselves of personal (and corporate) responsibility. So, I don't care. Except to be pissed that soon my tax dollars will go to the mortgage bailout because lenders were too quick to lend and borrowers were too quick to borrow when they should not have.

I've also seen the reports on Sen. Kennedy's health - and again, I don't care. My philosophy is that you get what you deserve. He murdered an innocent woman by letting her drown, while he - a champion swimmer and athlete did nothing.

These are but two of many examples, where I've been told that this attitude makes me a harsh, bitter, nasty woman - but I don't think so. Do you?